Looking for a straight razor guide.

Right off the bat I would like to appologise if this info is readily available somewhere else. I have not found it yet.

I would also like to introduce myself. I'm Joe, from Pa, and I'm brand new to straights. I always got so much irratation trying to achive a close shave with my gillette fusion And all others that I had to find something else.

I went to a local store, "the art of shaving" to find someone I can physically talk to. All their new razors were much more than I was expecting. So before I made a large investment I bought a Dovo Shavette. I have only had 2 shaves and I would like to move up to the real thing. I have read so much on your incredible forums about sizes and styles and how many of you seem to have multiple razors. I would like to do as much research as possible to find my first one so I would like to know if there is any one place I can find out what all these different "options" (for lack of a better word) are for. For example what the difference between full hollow and 3/4 hollow are in respect to shave quality, comfort, and sharpening. Same with 5/8 vs 6/8 and carbide steel vs stainless and so on.

I'm am faimiliar with forum sites so I can search easily, but with out knowing many of the terms used and exactly what I am even looking for, it's a bit difficult.

Thank you very much.
Joe.

Straight Razor Place Wiki

Welcome to SRP.

Go to the wiki, it is probably the single most valuable source for information about straight razors.

Joe Welcome to SRP. May I suggest starting with the Beginners Guide. It will most likely answer a good many of your current questions and provide some very solid info on beginning your straight razor journey.

Straight Razor Place Wiki:Books/Beginners Guide - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Welcome to SRP Joe. I found shaving with a straight razor to be the most comfortable shave once the learning curve has been passed. Preparation, lathering , blade angle, skin stretching and understanding the multiple pass shaving technique (here) are all part of it.

The SRP Wiki and the forum with it's archives contain all of the learning tools to get you over those hurdles. A shave ready razor is imperitive no matter the size or the grind. Take a look through the beginner's guide in the SRP Wiki linked by TheBaron and you'll find much to go with. Don't hesitate to ask specific questions that you may have.

Personally I like full hollows best but quarter, half hollows and wedges are all good. You won't know what is best for you until you try some of the options. Whatever you get make sure it is honed by a pro either through one of the recommended SRP vendors or by a member offering those services here.

Once again your best ally is research research research- the wiki provides a good place to read a lot and get up-to-speed, as well as all the stickies (permanent threads in red writing) at the top of the newbie/beginner forum page.

Your second best ally is determination. Any quality razor, when sharpened and well maintained, will give you a shave. Much of the grind and size and what not is personal preference.

I feel like for a newbie both 5/8's and 6/8's are good, though 6/8 is more middle of the road between small and big on the scale of 4/8 to 8/8. I feel like either a stiff full hollow or a half hollow is good because IME hollow blades are easier to take care of and more forgiving- also they are middle of the road- one can go wedgier or hollower from a half hollow/stiff hollow.